We all know that one person who wakes up at 5am to hit the gym and eat an acai bowl before we’ve even taken the first bleary-eyed sip of our morning coffee. Perhaps you think you must replicate this lifestyle to do “proper exercise”. In truth, exercise can be anything you want it to be, and when you find an activity you actually enjoy, it can even be fun. We’re all guilty of setting unrealistic goals when it comes to working out, so why not start by discovering a new form of fitness that won’t bore you into submission. Read on to get a few suggestions.

Pair Up With a Personal Trainer

If you’ve previously joined a gym but can’t seem to peel yourself off the couch to make it there, partnering with a qualified personal trainer is the perfect way to get motivated. Not only does a PT hold you accountable (after all, you’d be wasting your hard-earned money and their time if you don’t show up), they can also assist you with making a realistic fitness plan, showing you new equipment, and giving you suggestions on staying inspired.

Dance It Out

What better way to get your blood pumping than putting on some of your favourite tunes and having a boogie? Dancing is one of the most versatile forms of fitness, and with styles like hip-hop, salsa, ballroom, and club dance, you’ll be sure to find a genre you can get behind. If you’re a newbie to dancing, there are plenty of beginner’s classes where you can learn the basics and make some friends while laughing about your two left feet. Depending on your weight, up-tempo dancing can burn anywhere from 165 to 266 calories per 30 minutes, which is about the same as hiking or swimming. Additionally, dancing is great for heart health, makes you stronger, and can even improve your balance and coordination.

Find Your Inner Peace with Yoga

Yoga is one of the best exercise choices for both your body and mind. As well as being outstanding for flexibility weight loss, yoga can assist with chronic pain, lower your blood pressure and even reduce insomnia. Its meditative elements can also help you cope better with stress, which can wreak as much havoc on your body as a bad diet. With so many varieties of yoga, it’s easy for beginners to learn the ropes with simplified poses, and slowly work their way up to the more complex techniques. Oh, and if that’s not enough to open you up to the absolute wizardry of yoga, I have two words for you: cat yoga. Yes, it’s a real thing.

Become a Martial Arts Warrior

Let’s be honest: you’ve seen The Matrix, and you’ve dreamed of the day where you can also proclaim, “I know Kung Fu”. Why not make it a reality by taking up a form of martial arts? There are numerous martial arts for you to choose from, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do and others. Many gyms now offer Mixed Martial Arts classes, which combine elements of a variety of martial arts into high-intensity workouts. On top of being a fantastic fitness choice, martial arts can help you develop valuable self-defense skills while letting off some steam.

When you find an exercise that you really love, it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. These are just a few ideas to help you discover your latest hobby and get you back on track to being fitter, healthier and happier.